Ione, CA...Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) recently held its fifth annual Junior Corrections Academy. The Junior Academy was designed to give the children of MCSP employees a chance to learn more about the job their parents do every day and to expose them to the field of Corrections Law Enforcement. On July 16, 44 participants, ranging in age from 8 to 15 years old, started a week-long junior academy where they received instruction on a wide range of topics which included: Fire Suppression, Social Media Security, Firearms Familiarization, Basic First Aid, Crime Scene Preservation, Contraband and Drug Interdiction and Crisis Response Team weapons and tactics.

Along with educational courses, the cadets also participated in physical training each morning with emphasis on both fitness and teamwork. On day one of the academy, Fire Captain R. Makemson arranged to have a Reach Medical Air Services helicopter fly into the institution. The cadets were able to climb on board the chopper while the pilot gave a description of all the systems on board. This was one of the highlights of the week. The academy concluded on Friday, July 20, 2018, with a graduation ceremony with the parents and family and included the presentation of certificates and a barbecue lunch for all who participated.

The Junior Academy was the vision of Warden Joe A. Lizarraga. The Junior Academy was organized by IST Lieutenant Tim Cassesi and the teachings included the expertise of various staff, volunteers and instructors. These collaborative efforts created a fun, informative and memorable week for the children and staff involved.

“The best part was at the end of the week. The kids participating were approaching me, thanking me and were not able to stop talking about the great time they had,” said Warden Lizarraga.

Many of the children during the event were talking about how they can’t wait for next year’s academy. New ideas are already in the works on how MCSP can improve and expand the Junior Academy for next year. One highlight of the academy was weapons qualifications at the range with paint ball guns.

“The youth are the leaders of tomorrow, so as a Mule Creek State Prison family one of our top priorities is making sure our youth is able to reach their highest dreams,” said Warden Lizarraga.

Every year some of the previous year’s cadets return as Junior Company Commanders to inspire the current attending cadets. They are a tremendous help assisting the instructors with day to day operations of the academy and well received by all the cadets.

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No SubjectPosted on: 2018-08-14 20:06:25By: Anonymous

That third photo with the adult and child says too much about the current state of America.

At 11yo my parents would send me out of the house for the day with my Hi-Standard 22cal semi-auto pistol. The magazine held about fifteen rounds and it looked like a model 1911A with a Browning slide bolt action. I could shoot the eye off a fly at fifty paces.
Wish I still had that little gem.

Yes it IS a paint ball gun. In my own experience I know for a fact that most weapons used by guards in the prisons are rubber bullets which can cause quite an impact when needed-not to cripple or be fatal for the perp or perps and if needed and mainly in level 4 yards (the most dangerous) they use real bullets if needed. If there is a couple of guys just scrapping in the yard, they will use mustard spray to control the situation and all that stuff does is make ones eyes burn and you slobber. You may also just want to throw the shirt out too cause the stain never comes out especially white t shirts.

Yea we know, why would you want to try and teach a kid how to protect themselves? Jerry won't do it, Gavin, the gay boy, won't do it so teach all of your kids how to use weapons, in this state your going to have to know how to stay alive, especially if your a law abiding citizen!

Is this career training? Why would a prison guard having seen all the ugliness that is our prison system, want their child to follow in their footsteps? Why would they not want better for their children?

To start with it's a great job, and just because it alarms you, it doesn't mean that stupid people choose a life of doing wrong things, and end up in these places! I know Snowflakes don't believe in prisons, their leader, Jerry, dip *bleep* Brown shoesit through his actions all the time! I for one don't want these loserDemocrats running around wild, they need to be locked up, some need to be executed, more than less! So, if prison guards or prison worker's want to show their children what they do, the real picture bother's you? Wake up and get into the real world, not everyone out there work's from home on a computer ripping people off like you do!

Mommy, can I go to work with you sometime and see what you do? Oh, Mommy work's from home on the same computer that she sticks her kids on so she doesn't have to interact with them! That's a job, mommy? Yes it is and Daddy does the same thing, but he goes to a cubicle everyday, Starbuck's in hand, and sells people crap they don't need! If someone has a real job they are chastzed, if you work for a non-profit, and drink Starbucks all day, playing on a computer, your a hero! If you don't like that prison worker's have a day or day's to show their children what puts bread on the table, too bad! Go hide yourself in a closet, and read up on Bernie, Maxine, Jerry, Gavin, and all of your Left Wing heroes who have made a living screwing the people that put them in office! Bill could have taken Chelsie to work and showed her how he fondled the interns!